Birmingham City are close to completing the signing of Walter Pandiani after agreeing a fee with Deportivo La Coruna for the Uruguayan.

Blues have made public their intention to make Pandiani's signing more permanent this summer following the loan striker's explosive introduction to English football.

But they have been forced to move a little quicker than expected after it became clear that they face opposition for his signature from Newcastle United and Fiorentina.

Blues managing director Karren Brady was due to travel to Spain to complete the deal. But a visit to England this week by Deportivo president Augusto Lendoiro appears to have oiled the wheels on a fee of E3.5million (just over £2million) exchanging hands when this season is over.

The goals have dried up for the man immediately christened 'The Tilton Rifle' after he scored in his first two home matches for Blues. But that is down to the lack of chances created through Blues' collective loss of form.

Although admitting that it is hard to compare him with last term's top scorer Mikael Forssell, Blues captain Kenny Cunningham is convinced that Pandiani has plenty to offer.

"It's too early to say how good he is," Cunningham said, "as Mikael proved himself over the whole season in terms of the goals he scored. But Walter has had an impact since he arrived and has made us a better team.

"He's confident in his own ability and always looks like he can sniff out a goal.

"He protects the ball well, has a good touch and also has a great spring for someone who isn't that tall.

"It hasn't been easy for him as he doesn't speak much English so communication with the rest of the lads is difficult. But his personality has shone through, he's proved a popular figure and I see no reason why he shouldn't be a big influence in the Premiership if he stays beyond the end of this season."

To help counter Blues' clear lack of creativity they have also been linked with a summer move for Chelsea's unwanted £10 million man Scott Parker. But, in the short term, captain Cunningham is challenging his men to make the rest of this season more than just another Premiership survival mission.

Their wretched performance in losing 2-0 to West Bromwich Albion last Sunday has reminded Blues that they are still on the fringes of a relegation scrap, eight points clear of safety.

It is handy, in this respect, that Blues' next game - Aston Villa at St Andrew's on Sunday week - is one they will need no extra motivating for. But Cunningham says they must get themselves upwardly mobile again.

Cunningham said: "It would be disappointing if the season just fizzled out. I really hope the ambition of the side isn't just to make sure we stay clear of the relegation dogfight. I'd have thought the ambitions of the players is to set themselves a new target of finishing as high as possible.

"Sometimes, the relief of knowing you are safe from relegation can have a negative effect. That sense of relief can translate itself into some very lethargic performances."

As to the future, Cunningham believes it is certainly not the time to make any judgments, either on the disappointment of a season that promised so much in August or on his own long- term prospects.

He said: "We've been a little bit disappointed with the season so far. But the end of the season is the time for reflection, not now.

"Consistency has been a problem ever since I arrived but it isn't exclusive to us. All clubs strive for consistency so we shouldn't beat ourselves up too much.

"As for me, I've got just over a year left of my contract. I haven't yet spoken to the club but I know the situation when you're 34 is different from that of a 27-year-old. There aren't too many 34-year-olds having two or three-year contract extensions thrown at them.

"It is only sensible from the club's point of view to review things on a day-to-day basis.

"It wouldn't surprise me if the club are thinking 'the contract will run itself down and then we'll take things from there'. It's not as if the manager is going to have people banging on his door to take me away from the club.

"Things can change very quickly in football. I'm happy with my physical condition and my performances have been OK but things can change over the course of a year. That is a very long time in football. And I am no spring chicken."